Tool predicts droughts

jensfriislund via pixabay

Masine’s tool that can accurately predict drought-stricken environments for the farming sector, won the prestigious award at this year’s annual Women in Science Awards (Wisa). Recognising women’s role in science and technology, the awards is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). With research and teaching experience spanning 16 years, Masinde was named the winner in the category: Distinguished Young Women Researchers: Research and Innovation, earning R75,000 for advancing science and building knowledge.

She envisages that winning the award will boost the prospect of realising her dream of setting up a Drought Mitigation Centre in the Free State. “For me, getting this award is a lifetime achievement as a scientist. I feel very honoured and sincerely thank the Department of Science and Technology for the great initiative to honour women scientists.

“I’m now more motivated to implement this tool and to ensure that it is accessible to more small-scale farmers in South Africa as well as those in other African countries.

“My dream of setting up a Drought Mitigation Centre in the Free State has been greatly boosted by this award,” she said.

The tool taps into African indigenous knowledge of natural disasters and augments it with information and communication technology such as artificial intelligence, wireless sensor networks, and mobile phones.

Read the full article on Agri Africa.